Tonics And Astringents

Astringents are substances that cause biological tissue to contract or draw together.  In cosmetic use, they clear away residue that wasn’t washed away by your cleanser as well as tighten the pores and make the skin look firmer.

Tonics are a type of astringent, except they contain less to no alcohol, so they are better for sensitive skin.  They typically do the same job as astringents by cleaning the skin and reducing oil build-up and breakouts.

If you have dry cheeks and an oily T-zone (forehead and nose), you should consider a tonic.  For combination, normal or oily skin, an astringent is more than okay to take care of the oil residue and tighten the pores.

Moisturizing

It is very, very, very important to moisturize, especially after using astringents or tonics.  As mentioned previously, they strip your skin of excess oil, but your skin still needs good oils to keep it supple and healthy.  So moisturizing is of the essence.  Stay away from oily moisturizers as they will only worsen your skin’s condition by adding unnecessary oils.  Contrary to popular belief, dry skin will not cause wrinkles; it only highlights already existing ones.  Pick a moisturizer that will lock in moisture to keep your face healthy looking and maintain its elasticity.  It is also important to moisturize at least twice a day or as often as you can.  Don’t moisturize over unwashed skin though as that may lock in dirt residue instead of the water that keeps your face healthy.

Also, it is recommended that you use a different cream for your eyes.  Face moisturizers are usually heavier in texture and the skin under the eyes is more sensitive and is lighter than the rest of your face.  Normal moisturizers will be too heavy for that area and can cause it to sink and thus darken the skin.  Invest in eye cream to maintain the elasticity of the area around the eyes.

Sunblocks And Concealers

Whenever you go out, especially when the summer is at its hottest and brightest, it is beyond vital that you protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays.  These are possibly the worst enemies of your skin.  Sunrays age the skin, making it look tired and diminishing its brightness and elasticity.  It is never too early to wear sunblock and protect your skin.  It is recommended that you wear at least SPF 30 protection, but the optimal protection is SPF 45.

After you’ve cleansed, toned, moisturized and protected your skin, you may like to conceal some of the blemishes that you couldn’t get rid of easily.  Rather than applying a heavy foundation to cover your entire face, try a light concealer over the blemishes and maybe just go over it with a light powder or mineral foundation.  This is better for your skin than adding a thick layer of foundation and constricting the air flow to your skin.  It will also look cleaner and fresher.

Beauty Is Skin Deep

Having beautiful skin is the best accessory and will get more attention than a fabulous outfit.  Take care of your skin.  You’re going to live with it for a long time, so why not live with the best possible skin that you can get?